Beasley, Shea among 29 players called into USMNT training camp for summer qualifers

There weren’t many surprises in 26-player roster chosen by Jurgen Klinsmann for the upcoming U.S. Men’s National Team training camp starting in Cleveland on March 26th.

The camp, which will prepare the team for a busy stretch of matches from late May to mid-June, features Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Michael Bradley, as well as March qualifying standouts such as DaMarcus Beasley and Matt Besler.

Missing from the list was Landon Donovan, which was no surprise by now given early reports revealing his absence. Also not on the roster are veteran Steve Cherundolo and Carlos Bocanegra, as well as Tim Chandler and Jose Torres. Both Cherundolo and Chandler were left out due to injury.

A total of 29 players were named to the roster, but only 26 will be with the team at any one time as Klinsmann circulates a quartet of MLS goalkeepers for the five matches the team has in the coming weeks.

The team will begin gathering in Cleveland on May 26th, ahead of their May 29th friendly vs. Belgium. Several players will be missing from the start of camp due to club commitments. Michael Bradley is playing in Coppa Italia with Roma while Corona and Castillo will be playing in the quarterfinals of Copa Libertadores with Club Tijuana.

What do you think of the squad? Disappointed that Donovan isn’t on the team? Who are you happy to see make the cut?

Lmao Can someone please explain to me what this means? Jurgen needs to come to grips that English is his second language and he would be better off if he stuck to what most German’s do when speaking English, say as little as possible.

Mike, while that term does apply to Nazi’s in a sense, it is a German term for leader or guide which would describe the position that Klinsmann holds in US soccer. You are the one who made this into a Nazi discussion.

Hey, Mike E. Quit trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Do an Internet search on the word Geschäftsführer, as in Geschäfts/Führer, a word that is widely used in German and see how many times it pops up. They don’t says Geschäftsleiter (Geschäfts/Leiter).

It’s Adriian’s new name (aka ChiTown, A, LaLiga, Khan, and many others over the years, including some imaginary friends who post only to agree with Adrian or ask help defend his position when he is being attacked — most recently “Joe Schmoe”).

…I am trying to figure out how you would possibly know what I am referencing if you are not me. The only answer I can think of is that you don’t. I had no intention of bringing Nazi Germany into this conversation(I was using the word in it’s LITERAL SENSE, I am sorry that some took my response the wrong way.) If you can’t accept that, get over it. If you can’t get over it I don’t care enough to apologize a second time.

Stuart Holden is a head scratcher to me and rings of favoritism. As much as I like Stu, the reality is that he has only 17 caps and none in over 2 years. That, along with 5 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday and some Bolton Reserve appearances in that same time span since that horrid injury compliments of Jonny Evans 2+ years ago belies what JK has stressed that players need to be playing regularly with club if they want consideration for NAT call ups!

Not if what you are doing is looking at Gold Cup and beyond in terms of deciding the tail end of the GK roster. Been somewhat unsettled at 3rd keeper and as far as I’m concerned Hall has more potential and Rimando more production at a level that Johnson and Hamid have not attained.

I don’t quite know how it’s practically do-able in practices but I don’t think it’s a pure open tryout for 3 spots so much as a callin for 2 usual suspects plus an open audition for no. 3 and for Gold Cup time. Not that different than calling in Holden to get him in NT shape and see what he offers through the conclusion of Gold Cup.

I mean, this morning I was reading snark about Hamid and Johnson, and I’m not comfortable with them…..

here was my issue before i took the time to calm down and look. i read this article and Ives said it was 26 people but listed 29. so, in my head, out of 26 players, 6 of them were goalies. that made no sense to me. in reality, it’s 29 players, 6 of which are keepers, meaning 23 out field players. 23 + 3 GKs = 26 which is what we figured. the other three goalies did not take any extra spots like i originally thought.

Interesting to see Holden but no Donovan. I feel as if they both have had about equal playing time since they came back. Makes sense with Donovan being due to “sabbatical” but it is still intriguing to me

Doesn’t matter, I doubt Arena would oppose him camping, so same difference. LA has started out well and is usually focused on late season performance anyway.

Plus, this is Hex ball, you call in the A squad and then if you want some tryout players they come in at the end of the callups. Klinsi’s decision did not look screwball before last night but now you’re talking leaving out a traditional A team guy who just dismantled a team in club play last night.

Without considering who else he called in, because I don’t think they affected whether he was going to get a call or not, the Donovan situation is just the Jozy situation during the last pre-Hex qualies 2.0. Klinsmann has a message to send and he’ll do so by a wake-up no call even if it means we don’t have the best 23 players in the immediate term, so that hopefully there is a long term benefit. The Jozy situation worked out ok (barely, thanks to EJ/Alan Gordon) so I’m giving Klinsmann the benefit of the doubt until it plays out, even though I’d obviously prefer to have Landon on the team at this point.

You’re kidding, right? You “don’t remember” Donovan being stellar at set pieces? He’s a set piece master and has been the USMNT FK taker for a decade, as well as our PK taker. Ditto Galaxy. He was handed the job at Everton too, with no hesitation. If you need proof of his ability to strike the CK, just take a look at the highlights from the Galaxy game last night.

LOL! You made me laugh with that one. Brad Davis is a great player, he just hasn’t really had his time to shine with the squad yet. Klinnsman keeps putting him in at the end of the match with less than 5 minutes left to try and use his experience to contain things. His service on dead balls, free kicks, corners, and everything else is better than Jermaine Jones, Graham Zusi, or Landon Donavan. Keep in mind, I’m not saying Brad is an overrall better player than the ones I mentioned, but he is better at doing the things I described than the ones I just mentioned. Go Dynamo!

You would think since that is what JK harp about when he didn’t bring in other players when he first started coaching, remember it is about playing time. I’m okay with LD not being included, although I think it is a bit asinine. But calling in brek, i’m a huge fan of him, when he has hardly any minutes at Stoke is a joke. Clearly JK is playing games and sending messages by leaving LD out.

Klinsmann is a big fat hypocrite. He is simply punishing Donovan for taking time off. He is treating players differently and not equally. He has not chosen Donovan because of disciplinary reasons, but has chosen instead to tell everybody that he is “not match fit yet”

Brek Shea’s brief appearances at Stoke were so underwhelming they couldn’t even get a team to take him on loan, once it was determined he could not make the 1st 18.

Donovan has more minutes, more goals, more assists so far this season that Holden and Shea put together.

If Klinsmann is doing this to Donovan to motivate him to be better, it is stupid and could backfire. It’s stupid as Donovan knows more than anyone about the limits for his body, his touch and his match fitness. He has admitted publicly he is not 100 percent yet, but even a Donovan at 70-80 percent is better than many of his replacements.

It is fortunate for the USMNT and US soccer in general that Donovan is not a petty man. Many players who have been left off teams for disciplinary reasons, tell the coach to take a hike and remove themselves from the team at least until that coach is gone. We are lucky that Donovan is not petty, but will play along with this charade because we know and he knows that the USMNT needs him more than they need Klinsmann.

I think the Shea choice was based on the same logic as Holden: Get them fit for the season. You have to remember, Shea went to England hurt and without a preseason. Klinsi wants to get him back into game shape for Stoke’s preseason.

I see Holden and Shea both being investments for the start of the next season. Not as players who are going to make a difference now. Which I’m fine with. On every roster, there’s three spots open for training: Shea and Holden take two.

And its a good message to send. Team > player regardless of talent or experience. Bailing on the team should be x10 worse than not getting regular club minutes. Glad Klinsmann is treating it appropriately.

This whole “team above individual” argument is a crayon-drawing representation of team sports. The objective is to WIN and you’d be hard pressed to argue that Landon can’t, at a mimimum, help them right now.

Look at the New England patriots for an example of Team > players. Look at the French national team over the last cycle or two for the extreme version of Players > Team.

Dynasties tend to use the team > players approach. One off champions that collapse soon after tend to use the players > team approach. You may win in the short term by winning at all costs but ruining your team culture and chemistry to do it will bite you hard down the road.

I see what you are saying but if we are going to be honest the USMNT is going to be mediocre with or without Donovan. He just makes us a better version of mediocre that can generate a few more chances. We still aren’t going to be rolling Mexico or seriously threatening any team that has won a WC.

and how does that argument apply to Tim Chandler? Chandler’s done everything he can to make it clear that he couldn’t care less about the USMNT, and yet he’s called in time and time again. Meanwhile a 31 year old Donovan, who’s been bleeding red white and blue for almost 15 years, says “look, I just need a break,” and he get kicked to the curb. Ridiculous. Hypocrisy.

Chandler has never truly been part of the team. He got playing time for a bit at the beginning of this cycle but then got no call ups when he declined to get cap tied. He got a call up and cap at Honduras in order to cap tie him for later just in case. Now that he is cap tied he shouldn’t get an automatic spot on the roster until he proves his commitment by doing the dirty work of camps, friendlies, and CONCACAF tourneys.

You are correct biff! Danny Williams hasn’t played at all and was average at best before his injury. His minutes began to diminish as the season wore on. Brek….please! JK’s decisions are getting more bizarre and the hypocrisy. I’ve watched Tigres play quite a bit in liga mx and Jose Torres’ play has been very solid. I could go on…..

BS dude. Torres should be here simply so we have him for the Gold Cup. by leaving him off, he won’t play at the Gold Cup if JK sticks to his word. THAT is Fing dumb. starting CM for Tigres has no place on the US team for WCQs or the Gold Cup?!?!

Why would JK stick to what he said earlier? That would limit his options in putting together what he thinks is the best team available. I for one, think any coach who makes pronouncements about playing time, quality of club team, quality of club team’s opposition, whether MLS or not, etc. is just not thinking very much with regards to being held to his words. But such words can be useful in letting players know some of the things the coach is looking for. Whether or not Torres will be in the Gold Cup squad is likely something JK has yet to determine.

JK continuously does this. He makes pronouncements then does not stick to them. It makes him appear wishy washy, inconsistent, and flaky to the fans, the media, and to his team. Callups are prized highly by players and when the manager clear criteria for callups only to violate said criteria all over the map, it provides seeds for discontent. That’s why Bayern practically rose up in rebellion against him and why he’s held in such low esteem there. He’s lucky that USA has such a high character, team first mentality or he’d face the same problems here. This has been a common problem throughout every managing stop in his career and he’s yet to address it. If you tell your players something, you’d better follow through or you lose respect. It’s management 101. He needs to just shut the heck up and stop talking out of his a$$. All he has to to is to tell the press that there are a variety of factors he’s considering and go into it a bit and he can justify any call up. Instead he says no one gets called up if they’re benched in Europe and then violates that. It’s blatant stupidity.

wow, this shows your ignorance. Tigres was the best team in Liga MX and Torres was their starting CM. just because you think Liga MX is trash does not make it true. So yes, the starting CM for Tigres, who is also a US national, should be on the US Gold Cup team.

Yes, and it also means any player based in Europe (outside of Scandinavia) and in Mexico who did not make it will not be a part of the Gold Cup. Makes no sense. At least LD has the Gold Cup, but Torres is SOL despite having a great season. Maybe JK breaks his own rule…

Disgusting – No Donovan or Bedoya but we have Parkhurst, Shea, Danny Williams? What the hell is wrong with this guy? No one can convince me he isn’t harboring a grudge towards Donovan. And no Bedoya blows my mind

Agreed on Bedoya, and Landon not being included is ridiculous. We, again, have limited wing options and the options we do have at the wing are being listed as defenders they should clearly be on the wing for us (i.e. Beasley and FJ). If you bring in Edgar Castillo, play him at left back and move Fabian to either Left or Right Wing. Fabian is our best dribbler, incisive passer, and winger in the entire pool, play him where he can be dangerous for us.

Shea might be useful if fit and healthy, and maybe we can take a Holden flier on him. But then why not Landon also?

Bedoya, meh.

Parkhurst is too slow and Williams stinks.

What particularly concerns me is Kljestan and Williams and Parkhurst against athletic teams like Panama, Jamaica, and Honduras. I don’t think they are good enough to provide their perceived technical value, and they’re overmatched as athletes.

So you’d set up a three-game quali roster based on loyalty tests? Does being loyal mean you can score or defend?

I could understand if this was Chandler before the cap-tie but this is a former team captain who used to be The Most Routine US Player Of The Bunch. And as a practical matter, I seriously doubt Landon has problems gelling with the team, he’s only played with everyone called in for years.

I could understand a performance objection instead, but that would be dubious after last night. A mixed bag of film should get a high performer in camp, particularly when he has an excuse and is not carrying known knocks.

“So you’d set up a three-game quali roster based on loyalty tests? Does being loyal mean you can score or defend?”

Yes to the first question and no to the second. It is a simple matter to check that loyalty box and I can think of only a few people who have ever called their loyalty into doubt. It is rarely an issue. Chandler certainly doesn’t have that box checked but that is obvious (although I did support his cap at Honduras to cap tie him). Donovan has been a hero for the USMNT and US Soccer in general. I don’t deny that and certainly appreciate him for it. But no one should be able to rest on their laurels. You should always ask the question, “What have you done for me lately?” Donovan could have just taken an off season and not gone on loan or gone into camp but then reported for his club team on time. Instead he bailed on both the club team and the national team. He should have to pay his dues again to get back in the club. All he needs to do is play in the Gold Cup to show he is committed and then the loyalty box is no longer an issue. He’d only miss these 3 qualifiers. Chandler could take the same route if he isn’t injured.

Programs based on loyalty and commitment to the team tend to have long term success. Those that value talent over everything else may put all the pieces in place for one season but they tend to crash and burn big time afterwards and require a lot of rebuilding to even get back into contention. I’d rather be mediocre now but not dig ourselves into a hole by destroying our team culture and chemistry.

I didn’t say it shouldn’t matter, and yes, chemistry is important. I was responding to your black/white statement that it should matter more than all else. It shouldn’t, plain and simple. Talent is a requirement. Skill is needed to support the style of play. Many people have said it – there are certain players (very loyal players by your standards) who are much better when LD is on the field and providing service/cover. I’m OK with the omission as long as JK is being honest about the reasons why. I don’t, however, think you can honestly argue that there are many better players at his position in the pool, right now. I don’t see it.

You commented above that “what have you done for me lately” should be continuously asked as part of the set-up. Doesn’t that kind of fly in the face of loyalty? Or is it OK for only one half of the partnership to be loyal?

I won’t argue LD there are any better players at his position right now because I don’t think there are but I’ll still agree to disagree that loyalty trumps skill.

If you frame the “what have you done for me lately” question in terms of loyalty then it is him who violated the partnership first and there for it should be expected that the team/organization reset the relationship to a lower level of trust.

Even if you chose to frame the question as encompassing skill as well as loyalty then I still think it is ok for a player to be dropped when their skill drops. If you are loyal and putting the team first you should be content to make way for players who prove themselves better than you because it will make the team better. This doesn’t apply to Donovan however and I don’t pretend it does.

I won’t argue LD there are any better players at his position right now because I don’t think there are but I’ll still agree to disagree that loyalty trumps skill.

If you frame the “what have you done for me lately” question in terms of loyalty then it is him who violated the partnership first and there for it should be expected that the team/organization reset the relationship to a lower level of trust.

Even if you chose to frame the question as encompas$ing skill as well as loyalty then I still think it is ok for a player to be dropped when their skill drops. If you are loyal and putting the team first you should be content to make way for players who prove themselves better than you because it will make the team better. This doesn’t apply to Donovan however and I don’t pretend it does.

I agree about Lichaj and Orozco deserving it more than Parkhurst…or 3 extra keepers. They would have been nice to have for the Gold Cup.

Bedoya, Mix, Beckerman, and Feilhaber will be on the Gold Cup team. so no surprise there. No one should have expected to see ANY of those players in this camp. Torres, however, should be there too because now we can’t use him in the Gold Cup either. I’m worried about the Gold Cup team now. No Torres, Morales, Lichaj, Orozco, etc. which is insane.

““There are definitely some 50-50 cases for players that we moved toward the Gold Cup where we want to have a very strong roster as well, and we are very excited about that tournament. A player like Kyle Beckerman could be in this camp, but having him in the Gold Cup is a tremendous value. We have players like Josh Gatt, Mix Diskerud, and Alejandro Bedoya, guys that are doing really well who could be ready for the upcoming camp, but will also be in a full rhythm for the Gold Cup, so in that moment we shift them over to that roster. Another player we have a very close eye on is Aron Johannsson,”

Why are we bringing in (at forward) Eddie Johnson and Boyd when we have several promising young players like Villareal, McInerney, and McBean who should be (as not our number ones) developed for the future. A hungry, gifted youngster could be positive for the team and future of the team.

Our future at forward may be positive when you consider Altidore (23), Agudelo (20), McInerney (20), Villareal (19), McBean (18) are all in the pipeline.

But, I’m optimistic based on what I’ve seen of those four MLS youngsters. I think they’re as worth attention as Altidore was. He is strong, determined, has good technical control, a solid shot, good headers, a sense for positioning and he’s on a team learning around players like Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan, and (formerly) David Beckham.

I am not saying McBean, or others, are going to be spectacular. But I think there’s good reason to give them attention.

He has been much more effective in position and getting into positions against full grown men than Villareal, who aside from a spectacular goal and drawing a PK, has been absolutely a black hole for possession and creating chances on offense.

How long have you been saying “McBean is overrated,” exactly? Because he’s only played about seven games with the Galaxy senior team, beginning last year. Before that he was on the reserve team, and before that he was in the Galaxy Academy. So you, what, go to a lot of Academy matches? At high school fields and the like? Kool Aid indeed.

I think MLS and Austria are pretty much on the same level. And, I haven’t seen enough from Boyd to prove to me that he’s anything special. Not to mention that he’s another foreigner with a US passport and I would rather have someone who is as talented or more promising who has a more meaningful connection and affection for the US. After all, it’s the team that represents our nation.

that is a terrible reason. i’d rather have Torres, Lichaj, and Morales in camp and staying in shape for the Gold Cup. JK’s own rule about not playing in the Gold Cup if you don’t make this roster and play in Europe (aside from Scandanvia) or Mexico makes his idea to call in 6 keepers even more STUPID.

Why, there is no special reason the camp has to be 26, it could be 20 or 30. All that is necessary is that the players JK actually expects to use are included as well as a set of back-ups, the rest are there to either show what they can do at present or to fill out the sides in the little competitions that go on. If that means more keepers are needed, what is the problem with that? There is no real reason to think dropping 2 or 3 of the 6 keepers would increase the number of field players called in. And for that matter, there is no rule that forbids calling additional players later.

like i said above, i was off on this. it was my initial impression that 26 players were listed and that 6 of them were GKs. that was stupid to me. but there are actually 29 players, 25 of which are locked in and that 26th spot will go to whoever JK decides to bring as the 3rd GK. so i’m all good now.

As a Galaxy fan, I only wish this was Klinsmann’s motivation. The fact is, all these national team coaches have egos. I have no doubt that Klinsmann has no desire to do anything to make Bruce Arena look good. And vice-versa.

Also, speaking as a Galaxy fan, I’m fine with Donovan going off to international duty for senior team WC Qualifiers, but frankly, as far as Gold Cup goes… meh? I’d rather he stay home and get us through the summer.

The hypocrisy continues with JK. Shea hasn’t even put on his boots in months but gets called in. How can anybody take him seriously when he says that you must be playing to be called in. And 6 keepers? Just one of those spots couldn’t go to Donovan? People are kidding themselves if they think that this team isn’t better with Donovan on the field. Even as a sub and at 80% fitness. We’ll be playing for another 0-0 draw or hope for a 1-0 win at best again and he will consider it a success. How long until that’s not good enough anymore

David:
We know what you think about Donovan from your many, many posts. Just because you say something often doesn’t make it fact, it just makes you annoying. It is still just one person’s opinion. I disagree with you and that’s my opinion. Please accept it and do not respond.

and Klinsy didn’t really bring Chandler back “with open arms” for the last two qualifiers after his stinker in Honduras..or was he injured again i forgot.. either way Chandler does not look like a World Cup option unless he really plays well in the 4 fall qualifiers.

that’s kinda what they did in Victory (breaking the goalie’s arm) so that Stallone could play … I know that really makes no sense, but that’s the thought that came to mind, and i needed to get it out, stat

i’m out on that limb with you, julio, cause quite frankly chandler was never going to give up his vacation time to sweat against gritty concacaf opponents in important WCQs that would expose him. Even if Timothy really was injured, it was minor and I have no doubt that Jurgen asked his buddy to join him in camp and Chandler refused.

Not sure if that is going to happen, but I like the idea and roster. Add Mixx, Aron J and possibly even JA Brooks depending on the U-20 WC and I think you’re on to it. Also, I’d fine a way to include Morales in there too. Might as well cap tie him too.

can’t bring Morales now. since JK left him off this roster, and since he plays in Germany, he cannot be included in the Gold Cup team. which is insane. what happened to getting U-23 players into major tournys since they missed the Olympics?

“Can’t” is a pretty strong word. They can call him in, although I admit it’s a long shot. I realize adding Morales would go against what Klinsman had said previously, but it wouldn’t be the first time he changed his mind. Either way, you’re probably right. Still would like to see it.

Did Klinsmann really put DaMarcus Beasley on the roster as a defender? If so, I guess this shows the genius of Klinsmann, leaving off Donovan and playing Beasley as a defender and not calling up Erich Lichaj.

– SIX Fing KEEPERS?!?! WTF IS THE POINT?!
– DId not realize Dolo was injured…that hurts
– No Torres is a JOKE because now he is a doubt for the Gold Cup, which is a JOKE
– Davis is a WASTE of a call up. I was ok with him at the Gold Cup, but what a waste for WCQs
– Shea does not deserve to be here. He wouldn’t be awful to have at the Gold Cup though, so maybe he’ll just train to stay in shape
– Parkhurst and Williams also have no business in this squad…but again, maybe they’ll play a part in the Gold Cup
– Where is Morales?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I’m just blown away by the keeper situation. Klinsmann has a chance to call in extra players and give them a look and he brings SIX M.Fing keepers?!?! Morales and Torres should have been a part of the Gold Cup.

+1 sir.
I think we are looking at the last two games a bit romantically. Bease was SERVICABLE at LB – but not stellar by any means. His quickness and moxie helped him overcome what could easily have been a pitiful performance had any of the crosses he allowed wander into the goal.

ro·tate (rtt)
v. ro·tat·ed, ro·tat·ing, ro·tates
v.intr.
1. To turn around on an axis or center.
2. To proceed in sequence; take turns or alternate: Interns will rotate through the various departments.
v.tr.

It may not, but it certainly has absolutely nothing to do with Donovan not getting called in, yet you are using the idea of rotating third keepers (which is without a doubt the correct move to make for the coaching staff) to bash JK because you are pissy about the Donovan situation.

6 keepers tells us that JK has enough respect for MLS coaches not to take their starting goalie for 3 weeks to sit on the bench.

Not bringing wing options is a different story, and one that has some merit, but you didn’t mention that in your initial post. You mentioned keepers, which we covered, and 3 left backs, even though I would argue we really didn’t call 3 left backs, we called in 1.5.

I understand what rotate means. I was making a crack about selecting 6 goalkeepers regardless of their use. You can also rotate any position; I don’t know if you’re aware of this. so 6 keepers may be a bit much when you can only play one at a time. Note we’re only playing 5 games. At least 2 keepers are getting no more than a half. Also, I was just having fun with the fact that most people are befuddled that he would take 6 keepers. I actually AM a JK fan…but he’s trying really hard to change my mind…

If we don’t get 7 points from these next 3 games I’m done with Klinsmann and calling for his head. I’ve tried to be a believer but not including Donovan is BS. We better win our flippin home games. If our offense looks stagnant and we drop a result to Honduras….I can see Klinsi getting fired.

No. The whining will continue. When the results are bad, some people blame the coach. When the results are good, some people say that we won in spite of bad coaching decisions. Jordan will probably complain about JK even if we were to win the WC, because we didn’t do it his way. It is the same whether you are coaching 8 year olds, 18 year olds or professionals. You can’t please everyone, but then, that is not what he was hired to do.

Prediction: In about 2 weeks, Donovan will be called in to replace Shea. The story will be that JK wanted to see where Brek was at physically to see if he could be a help in either the qualifiers or the Gold Cup. But “he’s still recovering from his injury issues.” LD will be coming off a good performance or two, so JK gets to call him in to help and sends his message.

You could replace him with Bornstein for all I care. Talent shouldn’t dictate how much commitment is necessary to make the team. Donovan should have a big hole to climb out of after bailing on everyone (JK, the players, and the fans).

Most of last night was nothing. His goal was a gimme. Don’t confuse MLS play against Philly with international fitness and form. I like LD. Wish he were playing better and have no qualms with him being called in, but he is not back to what he was last year. Low passing %. Missing PK’s. Only goals have been gimmes from Kean. Can’t do anything without Kean on the field right now. I would have added him, and dropped no one, for the camp. I just wouldn’t be pretending that he is playing, even in the MLS, great soccer right now. Bring him in and evaluate him, but play him based on that evaluation not a 1/2 game and a gimme goal.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the one and only Jurgen Klinsmann has now officially dug his own grave with this roster. Two losses out of three games combined with the usual tepid offensive performances and JK is fired and gone will be a laughing stock of history and Landon Donovan will be playing for the USMNT in September. But this roster with a lot of JK’s buddies is not just about Donovan. Agree 100% with 2tone above the “Klinsmann has lost the plot.”

That said, maybe I am wrong and we win three games and Klinsmann and his great tactical assistant Martin Vasquez will be giggling at us and Landon Donovan’s days on the USMNT will truly be over, because success is what it’s all about and Klinsmann wwould be forgiven for his trespasses against Donovan and allowed to carry on in his own inimitable style.

I’m a bit disgusted w/ JK’s constant harping on getting club PT, but then he totally ignores PT when he picks players for MNT games. Williams and Parkhurst haven’t played in a long time (I haven’t seen Parkhurst’s name in months). Shea is another odd case b/c Stoke has said he’s not fully healed from his foot injury and he wasn’t even making the travel squad for games. I know, I know, there’s too little width on the team, so they have to take wide players. But if Shea isn’t healthy enough to even dress for Stoke, what are the chances he can crack the 18 for the MNT? I’d sooner see Torres (who is playing well) or take a flier on JA Brooks in the hopes of cap-tieing him to the US…

Oh, and silly me, I forgot about Mix and Bedoya who are killin’ in in Norway and Sweden right now. No reason to bring in players who are in-form and playing with confidence when you can bring in guys who haven’t seen a competitive match in months…

i would expect Parkhurst, Williams or Shea to play much at all in the next 5 games, but they will all be there in camp (not on vacation) preparing for the Gold Cup. ya its not 100% logically true to the club pt quote but it makes sense tactically.

I would have been okay with Morales over Parkhurst, Torres over Williams and Landon over Shea but its nothing to get worked up over..

agreed, i believe this is what will happen. but Lichaj, Morales, and Torres are all more deserving then those three. I like Shea and Williams, they are the future, but yikes. Them over Lichaj, Morales and Torres is strange to me. Same with useless Davis.

I was never a fan of JK as a coach, but clearly his statements to the press about what he will consider or not in player selection are taken too seriously by way too many people as iron clad rules. More likely, they are attempts to let both players and fans know about what JK would like in a perfect world. In reality, injuries, positions to be filled, skill-set to be included, team chemistry, even how the training schedule is envisioned, as well as the coaching staff’s opinion about a particular player’s qualities will play a more important role in the the decision than will the percentage of games started in the last couple months or whether the player is in the EPL, MLS, Bundesliga, Norway, etc.
So I will let JK slide on this.

If your boss/teacher/parent was constantly (and I mean CONSTANTLY) telling you one thing and doing something completely different, what would you think of him or her? What do you think the players at Bayern think of JK? What do you think the US players think of him? I think that article pretty much sums things up. Players have very little respect for JK because he does not communicate clearly and does not stick to his guns. He comes across as a flaky mess. Clear expectations and clear communication are the most important skills a good manager has at his disposal and JK seemingly possesses neither of them. He desperately needs to improve in these aspects. The team plays as if they are not all on the same page. There may be a good reason for that. It seems like no one knows their roles and responsibilities, maybe because the manager is not communicating them properly.

This is a big deal, not because of this one incident, but because of the repetition of this kind of thing throughout his tenure. We can’t have a manager who is constantly changing his mind. We need someone with a clear vision. From JK’s behavior, and the product on the field, I don’t see any of that.

+1, its a pretty good concept.. I remember Bob allowed the third keeper to return to his club team between games too, this just expands the same concept over a longer period of time.. plus Hamid and Johnson aren’t going to miss anything at United and Fire trainings.

Perhaps he is evaluating talent and prepping for the Gold Cup. Who cares how many keepers he brought in? Maybe it fits his training schedule for the camp. If you are mad about a player that didn’t make it, he wasn’t left off due to a high keeper count. JK could have called in more players. He didn’t.

but even still…29 players, 23 outside of the GK position. meaning JK could have called in 3-4 more players to have a true 26-27 man camp. with the Gold Cup coming up, and so many players playing in Europe and Mexico, JK should have done everything in his power to get Lichaj, Morales, and Torres into this camp.

Davis, and Eddie Johnson what the heck is he thinking. I am sorry but Mix is better than Williams in my opinion and has done more for the nats than Williams. McInerny needs to be called up over Johnson. The six keepers was a dumb idea. I want Klinsmann fired after this cycle.

Micah, I’m a huge Mixx fan, but comparing him to Williams is a bit silly as they are very different players. One thing people are overlooking is that Williams provides cover for BOTH Bradley and Jones who are both sitting on yellow cards. If either of them gets another (very possible with three games) Williams provides some DM cover for the next game. If Bradley and Jones don’t see a card, Williams does not see the field.

As for Mixx, his time will come at the Gold Cup. A good performance there and he could easily slot in front of Bradley and Jones for the rest of qualifying.

It is not silly to compare them they are both central midfielders Mixx is more of a attacking player and Williams is more defensive that is true, but what I mean is Danny does not do his defensive responsibilities well, but Mixx does do his attacking responsibilities well. Defending is way easier than attacking all you do is take the ball from the opponent.

No Mix does his job for the nats and hussels hard the full time when he is on the field and Williams does not. We have Jones Bradley and Kjestan and Edu no need to bring in four defensive mids and only one attacking mid. No need to throw shade at me. I have my opinion and you have yours. So get a grip and stop insulting me.

He has surrounded himself with his own cronies. I don’t think anyone has the guts to tell him that he’s not making any sense. He needs an assistant who will stand up to him and provide structure like he had with Jogi Low.

50% of you are ridiculously overworked on the third keeper rotation system (which i think is a great idea) and beasley listed in the defenders when there are two other LB’s ahead of him! and ya the Landon Donovan thing is controversial but i think its a solid group.

Herc and Deuce are too much alike to share the field at the same time. Get Boyd in there. Also, Zusi and Jozy are due for a break out game. Let’s see if Shea can be dangerous or at least keep possession.

With Shea and Holden here, but not Donovan, JK is talking out of both sides of his mouth. It’s a joke. Donovan has exactly what this team lacks right now, and JK is trying to prove some kind of stupid point. Get over yourself and do what’s best for the team.

Whats best for the team is not letting talent dictate what commitment a player needs to make to the team to get on the roster. Donovan shouldn’t even be considered in the pool until he proves his loyalty again. Club playing time and/or talent compared to other players are considered only after the commitment box is checked. That may not be JK’s reasoning but it looks like it and I support it.

what is Cameron’s natural position? CDM? most (almost all) of his minutes at Stoke have been at RB and he played pretty well there at Azteca. of the three positions that Cameron can play RB might be his best right now.. hopefully we won’t have to see what kind of form Parkhurst and Williams are in right now..

I’m assuming Chandler and Dolo were injured at the time this roster was made (Chandler is still injured right?). Cameron filled in decently at RB at Mexico and if we are going to start Besler after that one game sample I’m not opposed to letting Cameron fill that spot until his competition is more healthy.

Does anyone know: Is there a history of bad blood between JK and Lichaj that keeps Lichaj from getting a call up? Is Lichaj a Bob Bradley man and Klinsmann doesn’t like it? Doesn’t Lichaj speak German? The Lichaj ommission boggles my mind.

The one thing I think people aren’t taking into account is for some players it’s easier for them to come into the camp and get some time. Shea, Holden, Williams will all be in off season so they aren’t pulling them from a club situation. However with that said I don’t see why you don’t bring in a Cherundolo then. Never mind Klinsmann has lost it.

No question. Bradley used to often use camp to allow some guys who have been injured or out of favor with their clubs to get some run. It’s a good idea, especially with an expanded roster. The problem is that JK continually, forcefully, and publicly makes a point of saying that he won’t do it…. then he does it… then he acts like he never said he wouldn’t do it. It’s flaky, causes dissent, and doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in his players. All he has to do is tell the press that he’s considering a bunch of different factors without saying, “I’m not going to do this.” It’s dumb.

1. If you complain about the keeper thing… reading is fun. Try it. Start with the article you are commenting on.

2. Stop talking about Lichaj. Just… stop.

3. LD hasn’t played much, hasn’t been particularly good when he has, and one good game a night ago doesn’t change that. Note: LD’s single good game came after JK publicly lit a fire under his arse. Coincidence? Perhaps, but having watched LD over the years, I’m leaning “no”.

In all, some head scratchers (Parkhurst? Davis?), but not a huge surprise, should get the job done.

Great, he’s rotating the keepers. Glad that Klinsmann has addressed the most pressing concern of the USMNT, goalkeeper depth!

It’s not only the fact he called in 6, but more so of what it means his PRIORITIES are.
Right back depth? Better wing play/service/creative influence? No, no you guys we need to sort out this #3 GK problem

to get away from the who Donovan fiasco… Klinsmann had some interesting comments about the Gold Cup roster.

“…Kyle Beckerman could be in this camp, but having him in the Gold Cup is a tremendous value. We have players like Josh Gatt, Mix Diskerud, and Alejandro Bedoya… so in that moment we shift them over to that roster. Another player we have a very close eye on is Aron Johannsson… We want to watch the Under-20s play in Turkey for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. We have some players there on the list that we want to introduce to the senior National Team…”

So Beckerman, Gatt, Diskerud, Bedoya, Johannsson (possibly), J.A. Brooks (possibly) Donovan will get Gold Cup looks. Add that players like to Holden, Williams, Shea, Parkhurst, Corona and Boyd who could all be a part of both teams. That is a foundation of a strong and interesting group for the Gold Cup.

Yeah, I thought the Gold Cup remarks were interesting too. The roster for the current training camp is stronger than that for the March qualifiers just by virtue of F. Johnson, Castillo, Jones (who was injured for the Mexico game), Dempsey (who was coming off an injury), and Howard being there and fully healthy. I have full confidence that group can get at least 6 points from the 3 qualifiers.

And then Klinsmann’s left open the possibility of having a mix of veterans and up-and-comers for the Gold Cup, who could potentially form a pretty strong roster and would have good incentive to prove they belong with the A team. I can imagine a ticked off Donovan tearing up the Gold Cup.

We can argue til we’re blue in the face about whether Klinsmann’s lineup (no Donovan and several players who haven’t played lately) is the right one. We may yet manage to pull out 6-9 points out of these next three qualifiers. But I think we can agree on the following:
1. This lineup is likely to take a defensive approach
2. We are unlikely to see more offensive production than we have thus far in qualifying
3. Our forwards will continue to starve for service in exchange for a defensive shape
4. Much hand-wringing will occur in June, because ALL of these games are likely to be decided by a goal at most.

I’d agree with that. I didn’t want to see LD but I fully realize that means our offense will be stagnant without a strong winger. I wouldn’t mind seeing a 4-4-2 to compensate until Donovan proves himself or another winger truly develops but I doubt that will happen.

Pathetic. You need to look no further than the inclusion of Danny Williams who cant even sniff the bench of a Bundesliga team on the brink of relegation, has been nothing short of TERRIBLE every game in a USA uniform bar one game, to know Jurgen has no idea what he is doing. Shea can’t touch the bench for Stoke, gets called up. Parkhurst cant make the 18 ever, gets called up. Eric Lichaj been making quality starts for Villa (unfortunate that he got stuck behind the fantastic Lowton this season) and is almost always at least in the 18, left home. Jose Torres, Benny, Mix, all CM’s that deserved call-ups over Danny Williams. Bedoya is tearing the Swedish league apart, left home for the likes of the known not international quality Brad Davis (and Shea). Our best field player of all time, left home because Jurgen wants to set an example. Wake up and smell the coffee people, all those rumors were real. We are going nowhere fast with this bumbling idiot in charge.

It’s official. Our national team is being run by an egomaniacal hypocrite.

“You must be getting first team football, regularly, to be considered for national team duty”

Really? How many names on this list are fighting for scraps at their clubs? Did I miss all these minutes that Brek Shea has been accumulating?

Calling in six keepers and leaving off your nation’s all time leading scorer, who is working his way back to fitness at a faster rate than a couple names on the list, and a regular player for a top team in Mexico is nothing short of a huge F*** YOU in the face of those players. I don’t know what Jose did to Jurgen, but he seems unlikely to wear the shirt again.

“There are definitely some 50-50 cases for players that we moved toward the Gold Cup where we want to have a very strong roster as well, and we are very excited about that tournament. A player like Kyle Beckerman could be in this camp, but having him in the Gold Cup is a tremendous value. We have players like Josh Gatt, Mix Diskerud, and Alejandro Bedoya, guys that are doing really well who could be ready for the upcoming camp, but will also be in a full rhythm for the Gold Cup, so in that moment we shift them over to that roster. Another player we have a very close eye on is Aron Johannsson, who’s playing now with Jozy Altidore at Alkmaar and is coming off an injury.”

Confirms that we’ll see:

Beckerman, Gatt, Mix, and Bedoya which is nice to hear. we all assumed it, but now we know. interesting about AJ though, sounds like he’s going to get the call. That’s not good news for Bruin or Jack Mac. I imagine Agudelo will still be at the Gold Cup as well as Boyd. Add in Corona and Castillo as well.

Still hoping for Morales, Torres, and Lichaj though. And Orozco depending on the CB/RB situation.

Why is not playing for ausberg more valuable than not playing for Aston Villa (or in this case, PLAYING for Asont Villa)? – form and playing time double standards

What are the circumstances that would ever require the use of 6 goal keepers? – simply strange

What to D.C., Chicago, and Houston all think about having their GK’s taken away for several weeks in June AND July (assuming those are your Gold Cup selections)? – Building terrible relationships with your professional feeder squads.

What’s Klinsmann’s disdain for having veteran leadership in the locker room, even if not on the field? You’re telling me that Boca, Dolo, and Landon have less value than Goodsen, Danny Williams, and the 5th/6th GK in terms of what they can bring to a training session/film room/etc? – It makes me think he’s afraid of their potential influence

Why does Klinsmann make me more upset that Bob Bradley did? – The list is growing.

On the GK’s… He is going to spell them. Howard and Guzan will only be there, but he will only have one other keeper training with them at a time. Only Hamid will miss a match and he will only train in DC.

just read Klinsmann’s GK explanation. I think now it makes even less sense. Why bring in players that you are not even expecting to be able to commit fully for the entire time? Bring in 2-3 more Euro guys whose season is over and can be there the whole time and either familiarize themselves with the system – Lichaj, J.A. Brooks or guys that are not quite healthy that can use it as rehab – Dolo, Chandler.

he isn’t. they are not being brought in as a number in the 26 man camp. right now, it’s a 25 man camp with the 26th spot up for grabs. that spot will be for a GK. apparently they could not make a decision and decided to bring them in on a rotation so they could evaluate them all.

“Bring in 2-3 more Euro guys whose season is over and can be there the whole time and either familiarize themselves with the system – Lichaj, J.A. Brooks or guys that are not quite healthy that can use it as rehab – Dolo, Chandler.”

This was my thought too, then I realized what was going on. Again, these extra keepers are players 26, 27, 28, and 29. they are not 1-25. meaning these keepers are not taking up ANY outfield spot. so by leaving them out, you can’t bring in one of the players you listed. No, instead, roster spot #26 will go to ONE of the remaining 4 GKs.

Lichaj has played a lot more for AV than Parkhurst has for his team. I don’t think one is better than the other, and I don’t think anyone expected to see Lichaj play in WCQs, but he would be a good option for the Gold Cup since he started playing again.

You should up on the GK thing. I was at a lost for words too, but then I figured out what the deal was.

Some of these guys because they just have too much talent to be left off (Donovan, Chandler)\
Some just fit the system to well (edu, gomez)
Some just have the versatility and experience (Rimando, Beasley)

Sure, things can change, but that would leave 2 spots open on the roster. I see Castillo, Corona, Holden, shea, and Boyd as the individuals battling for those spots. Weird, they are all in camp. Some of these players JK just really wants a good look at.

What people need to understand is that Donovan being left off is not a form or chemistry issue. Klinsman is obviously punishing Donovan for leaving the team, as he should. My coach says that if we miss a practice for any reason we don’t play the next game, and that’s high school.Donovan should not be allowed to miss important games and just be installed back in like it was nothing

Spoken with the naiveté of a high schooler. Donovan’s been on this team for 15 years, and now he’s an old man, in soccer years, and he took a rest. That’s all. Klinsmann’s the one who is turning this into a pissing contest. Shame on him.

Even If he needed a break you can’t just leave your team like that especially somebody so important like him, he just let them out to dry during a very crucial time
P.M. we won states with our coach so I rather have a douche coach who knows what he’s doing than somebody who has no clue of what he’s doing and can’t help me improve

Regardless of all the talk about commitment, desire, team cohesion, etc., etc., etc., one thing should be crystal clear to just about everyone: By excluding Donovan, Klinsmann has deliberately decided play the next three qualifiers with a distinctly weaker team than he might have fielded. That’s OK, perhaps, if the team gets the points we need. But this will be pretty much the same team that scored just one goal in the last two games combined and, consequently, was very lucky to get results in both. A little different bounce here or there and we might easily have gotten no result in either.

Yes, Donovan presently lacks the sharpness he has when he’s at his best. Except for his (rather spectacular) last 30 minutes of Wednesday’s game, he has been rather tentative and unsure of himself in all his recent games, missing passes and giving the ball up too easily. But it should be clear to anyone who has watched those games that he’s been getting sharper from one game to the next, with increasing flashes of his brilliance along the way. On Wednesday he showed that his vision, incisive passing and even his speed (at least most of it) are all still there. All that’s missing is the greater consistency that a few more weeks of practice and game time will almost certainly bring.

I was delighted when Klinsmann was hired to coach the team. But I think he’s now being a jerk, talking about all the wrong things and running a needless risk by leaving Donovan out of the next three games of WC qualifying. What’s past is past. Donovan has apparently taken the time he needed to screw his head on right; I hope Klinsmann will now does the same. The only thing that matters is what someone can be expected to contribute, if given the chance, when we take the field against Jamaica, Panama and Honduras. Donovan is the all-time MNT leader in assists. By the time he retires, he will likely be the all-time leader in MLS as well. Thus, in creating goals that others will score, no one else in the player pool comes remotely close to Donovan. It is a talent conspicuous by its absence since Donovan last played for the US. For me. I would start Altidore and Dempsey up front, since they both know how to score if they get good service, and I would put Beasley and Donovan on the wings, since they are both very good at supplying the service required and have good-to-excellent speed to boot. As matters now stand, however, that can’t happen.

6 goalkeepers, Shea a bench warmer, and still Adu can’t bite his way into the squad.lol…. if Klins can give chances to Edu and Shea, he clearly can give little man a chance to help us create a scoring chance late in the game. I rather have a bench warmer Adu who has contributed successfully wearing the stripes, then most guys that get called in our NT. We need scoring threads or players who can create…. But once again we bring nothing but players who’s specialty is the 46defense. 6 goalkeepers? Oooh god -Big Sean voice